Bulls Sweep Charlotte; Edge Closer to South Title

Fort Mill, SC --- JD Martin set a Durham Triple-A record, while the Bulls swept a doubleheader from Charlotte on Sunday afternoon, moving closer to claiming another South Division title.

The Bulls' magic number to clinching their sixth South Division title in seven years was whittled down from six to three, thanks to Columbus' 4-2 win over Norfolk on Sunday night.

Martin (W, 15-4) worked six quality innings in the opener to notch his franchise-record 15th win as the Bulls (80-49) took the first game 8-5. Martin, who recorded his 16 quality start of his 25 outings, was put in line for his tie-breaking win (Richard DeLosSantos, 2010) when Durham scored five times in the sixth inning against Leyson Septimo (L, 2-1). With the game tied 3-3, Septimo walked two, then threw away a sacrifice bunt by Mike Fontenot to score Leslie Anderson for the lead. Chris Gimenez, Kevin Kiermaier and Tim Beckham followed with RBI-doubles to put away the Knights (58-70) 8-5.

In the nightcap, the Bulls jumped on Stephen McCray for three runs in the first inning. McCray (L, 0-1), who was making his first career Triple-A start, allowed the first four hitters to reach, including two on walks. Leslie Anderson and Evan Frey singled home runs to lift the Bulls to a 3-0 lead. 

Durham added two more runs in the sixth on a double by Frey and single by Kiermaier to take a 5-0 lead, finishing off the sweep over Charlotte 5-1 in the nightcap.

Cory Wade worked 3 2/3 highly efficient innings in a spot start, permitting two hits and fanning five. Josh Lueke (W, 3-1) was credited with the victory after Adam Liberatore worked 1 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

The Bulls wrap up their seven-game road trip on Monday night with Jake Odorizzi (8-5, 3.70) starting opposite Erik Johnson (2-1, 1.93) at 7:15 PM ET in the Bulls' final-ever game at Knights Stadium.

Bulls game story brought to you by Strayer University, Bringing Home the Bulls in September.